BENGALURU/MYSURU: Amid a buzz over Rajinikanth’s recent statements hinting at joining politics, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said he was not aware of any possible meeting between the Tamil superstar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Rajinikanth is a great actor and Modi is a great leader. If he wants to meet the PM, there should not be any problem,” Naidu told reporters in Bengaluru.
He also advocated the need for an end to factionalism within AIADMK to provide a stable government in Tamil Nadu and fulfil the promises of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. “The Centre will, however, not interfere in their internal matters. We only wish for a stable government in Tamil Nadu,” he added.
Naidu confident of BJP surge in southern states
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the BJP is ruling in more than 15 states in the country and is confident of making inroads into Southern states after wresting power in Karnataka next year.
“The bloodshed and attack on BJP workers by the Communists in Kerala will not stop the lotus from blooming there,” he said.
Addressing the party workers here on Sunday, Naidu said the BJP has made considerable presence in Kerala and would come to power in the next assembly elections.
Turning his attention on developments in the party’s Karnataka unit, the Union Minister advised the leaders and workers to bury their differences and unite to bring the BJP back to power under the leadership of B S Yeddyurappa.
He said the BJP should build its base in Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Tumakuru, Hassan and old Mysuru to win a majority of seats.
Observing that winning two seats in by-elections would not decide the fate of a political party, Naidu said the leaders should take everyone into confidence and advised them not to go to press to air their views.
He said the BJP is the only party where ordinary party workers like him, who pedalled bicycles in early 70s, were given an opportunity to head the party.